Scottish Clans and Castles

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Enjoy this Scottish Highlands escorted tour for a leisurely trip of Scotland which focusses on the spectacular history, culture and scenery of the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye. Discover a host of iconic and lesser known Scottish castles, the seats of royalty and ancient clans, cruise on misty lochs and take a stunning highland rail journey. The leisurely pace offers stays of a minimum of two nights in each location.

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Arrive in Scotland in Glasgow this morning and travel to your hotel, peacefully located 20 miles North of the city in the village of Drymen close to Loch Lomond (airport transfers available). Meet your tour director at 2:00pm and set out for a short drive to Doune castle, which you will recognise from popular TV shows “Outlander” as well as “Game of Thrones”. Enjoy free time in Callandar and drive through the Trossachs region, often called "The Highlands in Miniature". Later return to your hotel and relax for a time before joining your tour director and travel companions for a welcome drink before dinner.

Overnight: Winnock Hotel, Drymen near Loch Lomond

Meals: Dinner included

Day 2 Stirling Castle and Bannockburn Visitor Centre

This morning we make our way to the majestic Stirling Castle which rivals Edinburgh Castle for its beauty and significance in Scottish history; tour the many chambers and halls to learn about notable Scottish figures such as “Braveheart” William Wallace and Mary, Queen of Scots and gain views of the towering Wallace Monument in the distance. We then enjoy a visit to the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre to learn about the medieval weapons and armour of the Scottish clans; we tour the real battlefield where Scottish King Robert the Bruce fought before experiencing a fabulous 3D battle reconstruction. Later we return to our hotel for dinner.

Overnight: Winnock Hotel, Drymen near Loch Lomond

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Day 3 Glencoe and Eilean Donan Castle

Today we pass north across the desolate Rannoch Moor and deep in to the majestic Highlands; journey through Glen Coe and hear haunting tales of the infamous 1692 massacre of the Macdonalds at the hands of the Campbell clan. After a stop at Spean Bridge Woollen Mill we continue in to Scotland’s Northern Highlands to visit the romantic Eilean Donan Castle; an icon of Scotland, Eilean Donan was constructed at the meeting point of three lochs and is closely linked to the Mackenzie and Macrae clans. Later we continue to our nearby family-run hotel.

Overnight: Balmacara Hotel, near Kyle of Lochalsh

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Day 4 The Isle of Skye, Dunvegan Castle and Portree

Leaving the Scottish main-land we cross to the Isle of Skye by bridge to explore this beautiful “Misty Isle” which is closely linked with Bonnie Prince Charlie who fled here after his defeat at Culloden Moor. We visit the enigmatic Dunvegan Castle, stronghold of MacLeod clan for nearly 800 years, and the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. Enjoy the views of the Trotternish Peninsula as you travel to Kilt Rock a spectacular sea cliff of huge, vertical basalt columns. Finally we’ll visit Flora Macdonald’s grave in Kilmuir Graveyard before continuing to the quaint town of Portree to see the pastel coloured fisherman’s cottages and picturesque port.

Overnight: Balmacara Hotel, near Kyle of Lochalsh

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Day 5 Clan Donald Centre and Highland Train Ride

This morning we visit the Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle on Skye where we discover the history of the Lords of the Isles and the most powerful clan of the island. We then pass by ferry to Mallaig on the mainland where we board a Highland train; our rail ride takes us alongside the famous “Road to the Isles” where we’ll gain stunning views of Loch Shiel and the Glenfinnan Monument, another reminder of Bonnie Prince Charlie. A highlight, the train crosses the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct, which was featured in some of the Harry Potter movies. At Fort William we disembark the train and re-board the coach to drive along the Great Glen to Inverness, capital of the Highlands.

Overnight: Glen Mhor Hotel, Inverness

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Day 6 Loch Ness Cruise, Urquhart Castle and Culloden Moor

Today we explore the highlands surrounding Inverness; firstly, we board a cruise taking us along the famous Loch Ness to the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle, once Scotland’s largest castle which was largely destroyed in the Jacobite wars. Then on to the eerie Culloden Battlefield to learn about the battle when British Government forces defeated the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746. The Visitor Centre shows the background to this bloody battle and you can walk around the moorland to see various monuments commemorating troops. Later we return to Inverness in time for dinner and a gentle walking tour.

Overnight: Glen Mhor Hotel, Inverness

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Day 7 Whisky Tasting and Brodie Castle

This morning we visit Scotland's Speyside region, renowned as Scotch Whisky country. We visit a distillery to learn about the simple ingredients and intricate processes involved in whisky making; we'll tour the facilities and sample a "wee dram." Then we visit Brodie Castle, a 16th century tower house with fairy-tale towers and turrets that is set in spacious grounds and housing fine collections of antique furnishings and artwork. Later we return to Inverness and enjoy some free time for a stroll along the River Ness.

Overnight: Glen Mhor Hotel, Inverness

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Day 8 Sheepdog Trials and Culross Walk

Our journey today takes us South to a traditional Highland working farm where we enjoy a unique experience seeing the farmer and his talented sheepdogs at work. We then continue to Culross, a traditional 16th century Scottish town; here we enjoy a walking tour of this charming settlement with highlights including the historic Town House and tower, Culross Palace and the picturesque hillside remains of Culross Abbey. Later we continue to Edinburgh and our Manor House hotel close to the city; tonight enjoy a Scottish Evening with dinner, lively singing and story-telling.

Overnight: Norton House Hotel, near Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast and dinner (at Scottish evening) included

Day 9 Edinburgh and the Palace of Holyroodhouse

This morning we explore Edinburgh on a sightseeing tour taking us from the elegant avenues, town houses and mansions of the Georgian "New Town" to the winding alleys and the cobbled "Royal Mile" of the medieval old town. We then tour the impressive Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of The Queen, and walk through the opulently furnished chambers. The balance of the day is free to explore the city independently. On Jul 25 to Aug 15 departures enjoy the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the Castle esplanade.

Overnight: Norton House Hotel, near Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast included

Day 10 Tour ends in Edinburgh

Today our programme ends after taking a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. You are then free to return to the airport for a return flight to your home nation, or to make your way in to central Edinburgh to explore further independently or to embark on your onward travel within Scotland or England.

*Journey times and distances are estimates and are based on the direct route between the start location and end location for each day of the itinerary, where applicable. They do not include detours or stops for sightseeing.